The board of directors of Historic Marbold Farmstead is excited to announce the launch of its public capital campaign, “The Next Chapter”, to support ongoing restoration of the farmstead that was established in 1850 in Greenview. The main house and outbuildings were in dire condition when the property was purchased in 1973 by two brothers who wanted to restore it and open it to the public. They were able to do enough work to keep the main house from deteriorating, but the project proved too extensive for them to continue. A group of interested citizens and the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association purchased the property in 2012 and began renovation.
The purpose of the capital campaign is to raise funds for exterior masonry and wood work, dormer/window/door repair, and interior mechanical systems: HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. The association is building on a successful previous private campaign that raised money to replace the roof, glass conservatory, and a 3-story staircase, as well as to restore the parlor and hallway. A historic structure study recommended by Landmark Illinois indicated that exterior stabilization needed to be done before the inside projects could be started. The property consists of 10 acres, the main house, six standing outbuildings, and the foundations of a large barn, small barn, and a substantial pigeon/chicken coop. The long-term goal of HMFA is to establish a living history farm for the education of children and adults in central Illinois. To help “write the next chapter”, $250,000 is needed, of which $22,000 has been acquired.
For more information, visit www.historic-marbold-farmstead.org, go to Historic Marbold Farmstead Association on Facebook, or email marboldfarmstead@gmail.com. Donations may be sent to HMFA, P.O. Box 438, Greenview, IL 62642. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donors will receive recognition in HMFA’s quarterly newsletter, as well as local publications, unless otherwise requested.
We have the support of Landmarks Illinois, Brandt Consolidated, Inc., and Representative Tim Butler and have made great strides since our purchase of the property in 2012. There is still much to be done, so we’d like to reach out to people who are interested in historic preservation.
THANK YOU to the Petersburg Observer, the Illinois Times, and State Journal Register for covering activities at Marbold Farmstead. We appreciate your support. Here are links to two of the articles.